WHY TALK ABOUT BOOKS? Gary Warren Niebuhr Greendale Public Library 5647 Broad Street Greendale, WI (414) ext. 225 (work—for library stuff) (home—for workshop bookings) Make Mine a Mystery: A Reader's Guide to Mystery and Detective Fiction (Libraries Unlimited, ) Read 'Em Their Writes: A Handbook for Mystery and Crime Fiction Book Discussions (Libraries Unlimited, )

The benign dictator Rotating the responsibility No leader The hired gun

The benign dictator you can just pick a book. Love me or leave me. Problem solved. Rotating responsibility he/she can choose the title No leader each member can suggest titles that go into a pool from which new books to discuss are picked a survey can be created and the group can hold an election for the titles to be read. The hired gun those hiring him/her can select the title the hired gun should have titles to suggest

What type of reading the group will be doing The theme defines what type of books will be read by all each session The availability of the title The timing of book selection

WHO? WHERE? WHEN? HOW?

A list of characters A one sentence synopsis of the plot developments in each chapter Unfamiliar terms, languages, locations, or historical references in the text Quotes from the text The questions to ask the group

The author The book The reviews The genre

AVOID: Can Gary be blamed for the consequences of his actions? Answer: Yes. Answer: No. BETTER: Why can Gary be blamed for the consequences of his actions? Answer: Because…

FOLLOW UP: Is it fair that Gary is blamed for the consequences of his actions?” FOLLOW UP: Does everyone else agree with that?

ACADEMIC: Does Gary’s inability to accept the consequences of his own actions echo Shakespeare’s theme in Hamlet ? BETTER: Does Gary’s inability to accept the consequences of his own actions remind you of any books you have read?

Were the characters believable? To which character could you most relate? Was the plot believable? What scene from this book do you like most—or least? Did the book’s setting enhance the story?

What do you think happened to these characters after the book ended? How did you feel at the end of the book? Was order restored to this world at the end of the novel? Was justice obtained at the end of the novel? Did you enjoy the author’s style?

What do you think the title meant? What was the book’s theme? Did the theme affect any of the main characters? Can you name another book that this book compares to? Would you read another book by this author?

Standard follow-up questions for all responses by participants: Why? Does everyone agree with that? Standard follow up when a participant raises their own question to you: What do you think? Standard filler question Who would you cast in the movie version of this book?

Introductions About the book About the author Get to the questions

Obtaining and reading the book prior to the discussion Coming to the discussion willing to share opinions Coming to the discussion willing to listen to the opinions of the other participants

AUTHOR PLOT SUBPLOT MAIN CHARACTER SECONDARYCHARACTERS SUBJECT SETTING TIME PERIOD STRUCTURE STYLE THEME

Sandra Balzo Uncommon Grounds Sandra Balzo lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin, with her husband and two children. Sandra spent twenty years in public relations, publicity and event management before forming her own public relations company, Balzo Communications. She is an active member of the fan mystery community and has worked on many of the Bouchercon: World Mystery Conventions. Her first short story, The Grass Is Always Greener (2003) was nominated for an Anthony Award and won the Robert L. Fish Award and a Macavity Award for Best Short Story. Her second story, Viscery, was an Anthony nominee and won the Derringer Award. Website: Reader’s Guide: Readalikes: Donna Andrews Cleo Coyle (Coffeehouse Mystery Series) Dianne Mott Davidson Joan Hess Your Name and Your Contact Information Photo courtesy of Lisa Balzo